Improvement in toy-hoop propellers



O. KOEHL. Toy-Hoop Propeller.

No; 217,118. Patented July 1, 1879.

INVENTOR: g %@,%4

.ATTORNEY wnmzssns: W

NJUERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. 0.0. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES KOEHL, on NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 HIMSELF AND ISIDORKarim-or SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOY-HOOP PROPELLERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,118, dated July 1,187 9 application filed May 7, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES KOEHL, of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improve' ments in Toy -HoopPropellers, of which the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side view of myimproved toyhoop propeller, shown as applied for use 3 and Figs. 2 and 3are top views of different constructions of the same.

Similar letters of reference denote similar parts.

This invention relates to an improved device for driving and guiding toyhoops in an easy manner, which device is separate from the hoop andadapted for use not only outdoors, but also indoors, because the hoopcan be directed with this propeller in curves as well as in a straightline.

This invention consists of a slotted handleframe that is provided with afriction-roller at each end of the slot or opening, said slot being openthroughout between the rollers to admit the throwing of the hooptherefrom.

It consists, further, of the slotted guide and handle-frame, the slot ofwhich is open throughout between the end rollers, and which is arrangedwith a removable fastening or retaining device that may be placed acrossthe slotted propeller whenever the latter is to be retained on the hoop.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a toy hoop of the usual form,and B a propeller or driver, that is formed of an open or slotted frame,0, and of a handle, D, at one end there of. Near each end of the slot oropening of the frame G is placed a friction-roller, E, which revolves ona fixed pivot-pin of frame 0 and bears 011 the exterior circumference ofthe hoop when the propeller is placed in position for use.

By holding the propeller in a somewhat inclined position, as shown inFig. 1, and moving it forward or sidewise, the hoop is propelled by thefriction-rollers E, which is an easy task, even for very young children.

The propeller is not connected with the hoop, being a separate article,and made up in sizes that correspond with the different sizes of hoopsin the market. It can also be used for driving the hoop in the usualmanner by striking the same. In this case I prefer to make it in theshape shown in Fig. 3, consisting of a stick and of a roller'supportingframe made of stout wire, which construction has also the advantage ofgreater cheapness.

The frame 0 may beprovided in the middle part with a pivoted crosspiece,F, which is arranged to be placed across the opening of the frame, so asto prevent the hoop from slipping off; or it may be thrown back fordisconnecting the propelling device.

The mode of driving a toy hoop with my propeller affords variety andamusement, as it can be propelled in a straight line or in a curvedcourse, the latter mode furnishing a novel and pleasant exercise forindoor use.

The hoop can be propelled by the driver with considerable velocity to agreater or less distance, while the operator remains stationary, which,with little practice, forms quite a sport for larger children. At thesame time any unpracticed little child can manage and guide an ordinarytoy hoop with my propeller.

Other varieties of manipulating a toy hoop can be easily devised by theoperator by changing the position of the propeller on the hoop. 111 thisway the pleasure and diversity of the sport in operating the common toyhoop is greatly increased. 7

I am aware that devices for propelling hoops provided with three rollershave been patented heretofore; but these devices are permanentlyattached to the hoop and form a part of the same, while my propeller isa separate article, which has an entirely open slot between the rollersof the guide-frame, so that the hoop may be thrown from the propeller,and, if desired, be retained thereon by placing the removable fasteningdevice across the slot.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. As a new article of manufacture, a toyhooppropeller made-of a slotted guideframe having a trictionroller at eachend of the slot and an open slot throughout between the In testimonythat I claim the foregoing as rollers to admit the throwing of the hoopfrom my invention I have signed my name in presthe propeller,substantially as set forth. ence of two witnesses this 28th day ofApril,

2. The combination of a slotted guide and 1879.

handle-frame having a friction-roller at each end of the slot and acontinuous opening be- CHARLES KOEHL.

tween the rollers with a removable fastening or retaining device that isadapted to be Witnesses:

placed across the slotted propeller, substan- PAUL GOEPEL,

tially as described. ADOLF DENGLER.

